Viscera in toxicology is stored in?
 

A.	Glycerine
B.	Rectified spirit
C.	Formalin
D.	Saturated salt solution

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Correct Answer » D Explanation

Viscera collected during an autopsy in suspected poisoning cases must be preserved properly to prevent decomposition and allow accurate toxicological analysis.

Saturated solution of common salt (Sodium chloride) is currently considered the routine preservative for viscera in forensic toxicology in many Indian forensic medicine references and recent examination patterns. It preserves tissues without interfering with the chemical analysis of most poisons.

Although rectified spirit has traditionally been used as a preservative, it cannot be used in several important poisonings because it interferes with their detection. Therefore, saturated salt solution is preferred as the routine preservative in current practice and examinations.

Option-wise Explanation

A. Glycerine 

• Used for preservation of certain pathological or virological specimens.
• Not used for routine preservation of viscera for toxicological analysis.

B. Rectified spirit 

• Traditionally regarded as the preservative of choice in older forensic textbooks.
• Preserves most poisons effectively.
• Contraindicatedin poisoning due to:
  • Alcohol (Ethanol)
  • Phenol (Carbolic acid)
  • Cresol
  • Acetic acid
  • Phosphorus
  • Paraldehyde
  • Chloral hydrate
• Because of these limitations, it is no longer considered the best routine preservative in many recent examination references.

C. Formalin 

• Used for preservation of tissues for histopathological examination.
• Not suitable for toxicological analysis because it hardens tissues and interferes with the detection of many poisons.

D. Saturated salt solution 

• Routine preservative for viscera in toxicological analysis.
• Prevents putrefaction.
• Does not interfere with the analysis of most poisons.